In late winter 2004 Indiana Tech in Fort Wayne began design discussions with
us. Soon, they gave us a set of rough plans and a purchase order.
We quickly began adapting their plans into the modular system.
Simultaneously we began putting together a team to manage site and finish
work. Tech wanted the building ready for the first students by July 31,
2004. We promised success.

In April, site debris was cleared and work quickly began on the
foundation. Meanwhile, design work at our factory was near completion,
materials were ordered and construction began. Unlike
“site-built” construction the foundation does not have to be
finished before construction starts in the factory. The time savings can be
months, perhaps 40% of entire project durations. In fact, the rough
building can be complete before the foundation is ready.

Modules were constructed in our factory in South Whitley. Modules are
engineered to connect with adjacent modules, as well as those above and
below. Modules are engineered so water lines, HVAC, stairwells, power
lines, sprinklers and all of the other systems are in place when it leaves the
factory. All systems can then be quickly linked once all the modules are
in set.

Trucks transported each module to the site. Buildings that we engineered
to standup to road transportation were more than study enough for day-to-day
foot traffic. Each section was also built with a permanent rubberized
roof to keep it dry during transportation and assembly and for future moisture
protection. Despite heavy rains during set up there was no damage to any
of our modules and finishing work went right on.

Once the modules are on site they are quickly connected and enclosed to avoid
weather damage and uninvited visitors. Finish work can immediately begin
on the outside and inside. In this case, interior walls received a
“Spanish Lace” treatment and a combination of brick and vinyl was
applied to the outside. The roof was built on site, as well.
Stairwells were added and the “commons” on each floor were constructed.

Each week during construction the Whitley leadership team met with Indiana Tech
representatives, architects and city officials to resolve any problems and to
coordinate the coming week’s steps. By having a project manager
from Whitley on-site attention to detail was insured and the pace of finish
work was accelerated. Whitley coordinated the work of all of the
plumbers, carpenters, electricians, HVAC workers and masons during the project
to maximize efficiency.

Roofing, final glass work, and attention to a hundred other details are the
last items in the process. Landscaping has progressed all along during
the spring and summer with bushes, trees, grass seed and flowers added during
the last days of construction. A retention pond was added to the site to
speed drainage. Sidewalks were replaced

The building was ready on July 31, 2004, only 83 days after the first
“shovel” was turned on the site. The building houses 45
students, provides them with commons on each floor, has a modern kitchen in
each of 12 apartments, security systems, video door security for each
apartment, a laundry mat, sprinklers, ADA bathrooms, plenty of parking, picnic
space outside and attractive landscaping. Indiana Tech is happy with the
building and the City of Fort Wayne points to the redevelopment value of the
facility in the central city.